Fire Dept. Chief Jim Fiero

The Hattiesburg Fire Department is a multi-faceted department consisting of service delivery for fire suppression, fire prevention, training and Haz-Mat. The department consists of 8 stations with 132 personnel. The officers are involved in many community projects such as Project Safe Place. The current public fire protection rating for the city is class 4.

3. Improved fire apparatus specifications to meet community needs – Truck design and specifications were developed to meet the specific needs of our city (i.e. tight turning radius and short wheelbase for areas such as the USM campus, fire fighting foam and large diameter hose to expand fire fighting capabilities, and all improvements help to maintain the city’s low fire insurance rating). Implemented 2002. 

4. Instituted the use of the National Fire Incident Reporting System – This computerized reporting system enables the Fire Department to track fire incident data locally and compare fire trends in Hattiesburg against state and national data. Instituted 2002. 

5. Fire Department involvement in the community – The Fire Administration, Public Education Officer, and the Fire Companies have increased their involvement in neighborhood and community events. These range from safety presentations at neighborhood meetings, to medical stand-bys at sporting events, to various other community functions and presentations.  Minimum of 750 per year since 2002. 

6. Improved Hazardous Materials Team services and response to the community – The Fire Department reorganized its primary response to hazardous materials incidents and placed this responsibility with Fire Station 3 (Engine 3). This company is staffed by a minimum of two Hazardous Materials Technicians on duty at all times. They are supported by the Hazardous Materials Battalion Chief and 34 other Hazardous Materials Team members that are disbursed among the three Fire Department operational shifts. Implemented 2002. 

7. The Fire Department has improved fire fighter personal safety equipment –

Due to age and safety standards new fire fighting helmets were issued to all fire fighters to enhance their personal protection. Purchased 2002. 

Self-contained breathing apparatus testing and re-filling equipment was updated to improve safety. Purchased 2002. 

            New firefighter's turn-outs and fire
            fighting gloves were purchased to enhance
            personnel safety. Purchased 2003.

8. The Fire Department has researched, added and continues to take advantage of technological advancements – The Fire Department has added 5” Large Diameter Hose to improve and maximize fire flows throughout the city.  Purchased 2002. 

Purchased two new Thermal Imaging Cameras that enable fire fighters to see through smoke and speed fire rescues. Purchased 2003. 

The department has added a new technologically advanced fire fighting foam type product (F-500) to its fire pumpers. F-500 is extremely effective in combating  petrochemical fires.  Purchased 2003. 

9. Implementation of a new Fire Fighter Pay Scale – This new pay plan recognizes fire fighter training and experience, and rewards personnel for their efforts. This enabled the city to be competitive with other fire departments in the state, to retain its highly trained and certified fire fighters, and to attract certified personnel from other cities. Implemented 2003. 

10. The Fire Department expanded Fire Officer attendance at the National Fire Academy – The Fire Department has tripled the number of fire officers it is sending to the programs offered at the National Fire Academy. These programs are funded by the federal government and are presented in two-week college courses at the academy’s campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland. These courses are a tremendous asset in the professional develop of our fire officers. Initiated 2003. 

11. The Fire Department implemented two new fire and life safety programs in the community  - These programs are the Home Safety Surveys that help educate citizens on the common hazards found in the home, and Life Safety Inspections that are performed by Fire Inspectors and Fire Company personnel in large occupancy businesses (such as clubs and restaurants) to educate these business owners on the hazards they need to avoid. Both of these programs serve to make our community safer. Implemented 2003. 

12. Engineers Chester (Dann) Jackson and Jeff Morgan were awarded the HFD’s Medal of Valor, the State Fire Fighters’ Acts of Valor Award, and are candidates for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor – These fire fighters received and/or were nominated for these awards for their extraordinary actions in the successful rescue of a child from a fully involved second story apartment fire. Their disregard for their own safety and exceptional dedication to duty speak highly of the caliber of fire fighters serving the citizens of Hattiesburg. Awarded 2003 and Nominated 2004. 

13. The Fire Companies of the HFD initiated a Pre-Fire Planning Program – This program enables fire fighters to gather vital information and knowledge about large building complexes and businesses during an inspection process prior to any emergency. Then fire fighters can access this information during an emergency and provide better, faster service thereby saving more property and lives. Instituted 2003. 

14. Hattiesburg personnel selected as one of nine state Regional Response Teams for Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents – The Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team along with the Police Department’s SWAT Team, selected members of Public Works Department, and AAA Ambulance paramedics have been selected as one of the state’s Regional Response Teams for a Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident. This has brought approximately $1.5 million in federal grants to the city. Selected 2003. 

15. Appointment of a full-time Training Officer for the Fire Department – The Fire Department has recognized the need to improve its training and continuing education programs. To accomplish this the department has appointed a full-time Training Officer to focus on fire & rescue training programs. The Hazardous Materials Battalion Chief is now able to concentrate on the training and equipment needs of the Hazardous Materials Team and the Regional Response Team. Appointed 2003. 

16. The Fire Department appointed a new Fire Marshal – This Battalion Chief, Mike Barham, has rejuvenated the Fire Prevention Division. He has improved the Fire & Life Safety Inspections and the Plans Review Programs to be much more customer oriented, emphasizing public education to achieve improved safety and code compliance. Appointed 2004. 

17. Fire Cause & Arson Investigations were improved by the new Fire Marshal – Fire Investigators have received more training at both the State and National Fire Academies, and the importance of determining fire causes has received greater emphasis from the new Fire Marshal. With these changes, statistics have greatly improved in less than six months. Fires listed as “Undetermined” have dropped from 39% to just 2.8%, and fires recognized as “Incendiary” have increased from 5.5% to 42.8%. Now fires causes and cases are truly being investigated and prosecuted (in five months there have been 7 arrests, 3 confessions, and another 10 incendiary cases are pending). Instituted 2004. 

18. The Lead Investigator for the Hattiesburg Fire Department received the State Arson Investigator of the Year Award  - Under the leadership of Fire Marshal Mike Barham, the department’s Lead Investigator, Clayton Speed, has demonstrated great skill, initiative, and dedication in the investigation of fire causes. His work has resulted in more than a 70% increase in arson convictions. For his efforts and hard work Investigator Speed was nominated for and received the State Arson Investigator of the Year Award from the Mississippi Fire & Arson Investigators Association. Received 2004.

19. A new Public Education Officer was hired by the department – This Public Fire Educator, Tammy Peavy, brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the community. She is familiar with several new national life safety programs, and has instituted two all hazard/risk reduction safety programs into the community within her first six months. These safety programs improve the quality of life for all age groups of our population by educating them about hazards, risks, and safety in general. Hired and Accomplished 2004. 

20. The Fire Department has implemented the nationally recognized Knox Box security entry system for local businesses – This computer controlled security system enables fire fighters who are dispatched to a fire at a business the ability to gain after-hour access, without delay. Without this system in place, fire fighters must either force entry to the business, which causes damage, or await the arrival of a key holder, which may also cause additional fire damage. The time saved using the Knox Box system saves time, money and damage. This system is a great asset to local businesses. Implemented 2004. 

21. Institution of a Professional Development Program that coincides with an Education and Certification Pay  – These educational programs provide better trained, more knowledgeable fire fighters that are better equipped to serve the citizens, and are better prepared officers as they promote into the higher ranks of the department. This program also provides an Education and Certification Pay as an incentive for the completion of college degrees and for additional higher levels of fire/rescue certifications. Instituted 2004. 

22. The Fire Department has partnered with several local industries to assist them in obtaining specialized training – This partnership improves communications between the businesses and the HFD, enhances cooperation and teamwork, and lowers the training costs/saves money for the city and all the members involved. Instituted 2004. 

23. New Fire Station #8 and Police Sub-Station serving western Hattiesburg completed December 2004 – The new combined fire & police station that was for planned, and is to provide service to the newly annexed areas in Lamar County will be completed in December 2004 and is scheduled for opening in January 2005. This facility will greatly improve fire/rescue services to the businesses and citizens throughout the western section of the city, and enables the city to maintain its low fire insurance rating. Completed 2004.  

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New Combined Hattiesburg

Fire Station 8 and Police Sub-Station

The City of Hattiesburg opened its newest and combined fire and police facility on March 1, 2005. The facility houses Fire Station #8 and a Police Sub-Station. The 8,430 sq. foot structure has three drive-through vehicle bays, offices, and living quarters for the existing staff, and has been built to quarter additional emergency vehicles (fire, police, and EMS, and those additional crews) during hurricane or other extreme situations. The station is home to Hattiesburg Fire Department’s Engine Company 8 that provides fire, rescue, and EMS protection to this western section of the city, and the Hattiesburg Police Department furnishes all its services at this sub-station, thus saving citizens the trip across town to its main facility.

This station has been built to the latest standards, and has dorm rooms and a unisex restroom/shower area that accommodates both male and female members without any problems. As the City of Hattiesburg grows this facility can house additional personnel and equipment without the necessity of remodeling or adding on to the station.